Robert Mayer (born October 21, 1959) is a New York Times-bestselling author and the CEO of Cool Gus Publishing. He is a West Point graduate and former Green Beret. Mayer has authored over 60 novels in multiple genres, selling more than 4 million books, including the #1 series Area 51, Atlantis, and The Green Berets. He has written under the pen names Joe Dalton, Robert Doherty, Greg Donegan, and Bob McGuire. He holds the distinction of being the only male author on the Romance Writers of America Honor Roll.
Early life Robert John "Bob" Mayer was born in the Bronx, New York City on October 21, 1959. After high school, Mayer was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. There, he graduated with honors in the top 10 percent of his class, earning a BA in psychology in 1981. He later earned a master's degree in education at Austin Peay State University.
In the Army, Mayer served in the infantry with the 1st Cavalry Division, later as platoon leader and a brigade recon platoon leader. He joined Special Forces and commanded a Green Berets A-Team from 1984 to 1988. He served as the operations officer for 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and with Special Operations Command (Special Projects) in Hawaii. He later taught Green Beret recruits at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in Fort Bragg, NC.
Mayer is an honor graduate of the Special Forces Qualification Course, the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Instructor Training Course and the Danish Royal Navy Fromandkorpset. He is a Master Parachutist/Jumpmaster Qualified and graduated from the International Mountain Climbing School. He has completed 14 marathons, including qualifying for the Boston Marathon and running it three times.
Writing career Mayer's prolific writing encompasses both his military experience and his fascination for history, legends and mythology. To date, he has published over 65 titles. Though most of his novels reside within the realm of science fiction, he has crossed successfully into multiple genres including historical, military, suspense, young adult and romance. His books have hit on numerous bestselling lists including The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly.
Mayer began his writing career in 1991 with the Green Beret novel Eyes of the Hammer. The next year, he followed with his second novel, Dragon Sim-13. A total of 9 books have been written in the series.
In 1997, under his pen name Robert Doherty, Mayer released Area 51. He wrote eight sequels to Area 51 from 1998 to 2004. Four more were published from 2018 to 2020.
In September 2004, Mayer met romance novelist Jennifer Crusie at a writer's conference in Maui. The pair collaborated on a series of military-themed romance novels, including Don't Look Down (2006), Agnes and the Hitman (2007), and Wild Ride (2009). Mayer and Crusie's collaborations took place via email, with Mayer writing from the male perspective and Crusie writing those scenes that involved the female perspective. Agnes and the Hitman became a NYT bestseller, earning Mayer a spot on the Romance Writers of America Honor Roll.
In 2009, Mayer realized a digital transition in the publishing industry was happening. Along with Jen Talty, Mayer formed Cool Gus Publishing (formerly Who Dares Wins Publishing) in 2010 as a platform to reissue his extensive backlist. Cool Gus Publishing authors currently include Colin Falconer, Jennifer Probst, Janice Maynard, and Amy Shojai.
Mayer has also written five books in the Nightstalkers series for the Amazon Publishing imprint 47North.
In addition to his writing and publishing career, Mayer has been a speaker at the Maui Writer's Conference. He holds workshops and seminars on the leadership tactics learned in his Green Beret training. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, PBS, NPR, the Military Channel and the SyFy Channel.
Personal life Bob Mayer lives in Tennessee with his wife and their English Yellow Lab, Cool Gus and their newest addition, Scout the dog. His most recent books include the Time Patrol series, featuring characters from both The Nightstalkers and The Cellar series of books.
Bibliography
Fiction
TitleAs by...PublisherDateISBNNotesThe RockRobert DohertyDellDecember 1995Revised and republished in 2010.The LineBob McGuireSt. Martin's PressDecember 1996Black Ops, Book 1; Revised and republished in 2013.The GateSeptember 1997Black Ops, Book 2; Revised and republished in 2015.The Omega MissileJoe DaltonSeptember 1998Revised and republished in 2011.The Omega SanctionNovember 1999Psychic WarriorRobert DohertyDellAugust 2000Psychic Warrior, Book 1; Revised and republished in 2012Project AuraAugust 7, 2001Psychic Warrior, Book 2; Revised and republished in 2013Bodyguard of LiesForge BooksMarch 1, 2005The Cellar, Book 1; Revised and republished in 2013Section EightHarperTorchSeptember 27, 2005Jim Vaughn, Book 1; Revised and republished in 2015.The CitadelMarch 27, 2007Jim Vaughn, Book 2Lost GirlsForge BooksAugust 21, 2007The Cellar, Book 2; Revised and republished in 2013Don't Look DownBob MayerSt. Martin's PressApril 4, 2006with Jennifer CrusieAgnes and the HitmanAugust 21, 2007Wild RideMarch 16, 2010I, Judas: The Fifth GospelCool GusJuly 5, 2012The Jefferson AllegianceAugust 23, 2013Presidential Series novelThe Kennedy EndeavorDecember 8, 2013BurnersOctober 6, 2015Burners novelPrimeDecember 22, 2015
The Green Berets (1991–2024)
Featuring the United States Army Special Forces, known colloquially as The Green Berets. Organized into three sub-series by readers.
Dave Riley novels
Novels featuring protagonist Dave Riley. Published by Presidio Press. Not all printings include a number stamp. TitleDateISBN1Eyes of the HammerJuly 19912Dragon SIM-13August 19923SynbatDecember 19934Cut-OutJune 19955Eternity BaseMay 19966Z: A Dave Riley NovelDecember 1996
Horace Chase novels
Novels featuring protagonist Horace Chase. Volume numbers continue from the Dave Riley series. Published by Cool Gus. Not all printings include a number stamp. TitleDateISBN7Chasing the GhostOctober 8, 20128Chasing the LostApril 23, 20139Chasing the SonMay 5, 2015
Will Kane novels
Featuring protagonist Will Kane. Published by Cool Gus. Marketed as The Green Berets: Will Kane. Not all printings include a number stamp. TitleDateISBN1New York MinuteJune 24, 20192Lawyers, Guns and MoneyAugust 29, 20193Walk on the Wild SideNovember 19, 20194Hell of a TownJune 9, 20205No QuarterJune 25, 20216Shelter from the StormMarch 25, 2024
Area 51 (1997–2020)
Area 51 military science fiction series as by 'Robert Doherty'. Originally published by Dell. The series was revised and reprinted by Cool Gus beginning in 2014. Not all printings include a number stamp. TitleDateISBNISBN ()1Area 51February 19972The ReplyFebruary 19983The MissionJanuary 19994The SphinxFebruary 20005The GrailFebruary 20016ExcaliburMarch 20027The TruthJanuary 20038NosferatuJuly 20039LegendMarch 200410RedemptionApril 8, 2018—11InvasionJune 22, 201812InterstellarApril 26, 201913Earth AbidesApril 2, 2020
The Nightstalkers (2012–2015)
Area 51: The Nightstalkers military science fiction series as by 'Bob Mayer'. Not all printings include a number stamp. TitleDateISBN1NightstalkersDecember 11, 20122The Book of TruthsJuly 30, 20133The RiftFebruary 25, 20154Time PatrolFebruary 24, 2015
Time Patrol (2015–2020)
The series began as Area 51: Time Patrol. Later editions moved away from the Area 51 premise. Printings do not include number stamps. Mayer includes Time Patrol (2015) as the first novel in the series. TitleDateISBN1Time PatrolFebruary 24, 20152Black TuesdayAugust 25, 20153Ides of MarchMarch 15, 20164D-DayMay 23, 20165Independence DayJuly 4, 20166Nine ElevenSeptember 11, 20167The Fifth FloorNovember 17, 20168Valentine's DayJuly 24, 20179All Hallow's EveSeptember 21, 201710EquinoxSeptember 14, 2020
Atlantis (1999–2003) Military science fiction series as by 'Greg Donegan' and later 'Robert Doherty'. Originally published by Berkley. The series was revised and reprinted by Cool Gus beginning in 2010 with the release of Battle for Atlantis. Not all printings include a number stamp. TitleDateISBNISBN ()1AtlantisJune 19992Bermuda TriangleMay 20003Devil's SeaFebruary 20014Atlantis GateAugust 6, 20025Assault on AtlantisOctober 28, 20036Battle for AtlantisFebruary 3, 2003
Shadow Warriors (2011–2018)
Revised editions bundled as the Shadow Warriors series. Novels were previously marketed as part of the Final Gambit, Black Ops, Black Ops: Shadow Warriors series. TitleDateISBN ()NotesThe LineSeptember 16, 2013Black Ops, Book 1; Revised edition of The Line (1996)The GateDecember 15, 2015Black Ops, Book 2; Revised edition of The Gate (1997)Omega MissleOctober 22, 2011Revised edition of The Omega Missle (1998)Omega SanctionNovember 5, 2018Revised edition of The Omega Sanction (1999)Section EightJanuary 6, 2013Jim Vaughn, Book 2; Revised edition of Section Eight (2005)
Duty, Honor, Country (2013–14) Published as ebook exclusives. TitleDateISBN1DutyFebruary 18, 20132HonorJanuary 21, 20143Country
Non-fiction
TitlePublisherDateISBNNotesThe Fiction Writer's ToolkitOpen RoadJune 2001Revised as The Novel Writer's ToolkitThe Novel Writer's ToolkitWriter's DigestAugust 2003Hunting Al QaedaZenith PressJuly 29, 2005Credited as editor in some printingsWho Dares WinsPocket BooksJune 2, 2009Warrior WriterCool GusMarch 8, 2010Revised as Write It ForwardWrite It ForwardJuly 11, 2011with Jen Taity; Also known as Writer's Conference GuideThe Shelfless BookNovember 26, 2012with Jen Taity; Also known as How We Made Our First Million on KindleThe Green Beret Suvival GuideDecember 17, 2012Republished under various titlesShit Doesn't Just HappenAugust 31, 2014Shit Doesn't Just Happen IISeptember 25, 2014Prepare Now Survive LaterDecember 8, 2016Republished under various titlesSurvive Now Thrive LaterRepublished under various titles
Notes "Is there gold in your backlist? Self-publish and find out!" by Alan Rinzler Forbes 5/18/11
References
External links